FSU 50mm test

[Byuphoto]

I tested an I22, J8 and an I61 against each other trying to be as subjective as possible. L to R I22, I61, J8 all at f4 and 1/500 on Ilford XP2

 

[Byuphoto]

Same lense f16 and 1/50. L to R I22 I61 and J8

 

[Byuphoto]

and then at f8 and 1/250 L to R I22 I61 J8. In the first two test I focused on the front flowers and in these I focused on the cat. Of course he had to move. I hate uncooperative models

 

[tedwhite]

J8's looking pretty good once you stop it down.

Ted

 

[Oldprof]

... trying to be as subjective as possible ...

You have a lot in common with other lens testers. 😀

P.S. The ideal is to be as objective as possible.

 

[Sonnar Brian]

That I61 looks really good. Damn. I don't have an I61. Easy to correct.

Of course these days lens tests seem to favor "Subjective Quality" rather than the "percent contrast at 50lp/mm" that Pop and Mod Photo used to run. The older tests were probably "more objective" and easier to measure in a lab, but hard to translate into "better looking pictures". But I guess which type of test does best in sizing up a lens is all subjective...

 

[xayraa33]

that I- 22 is a mighty fine lens too.

 

[clarence]

If I wanted an objective comparison I'd look for photos of knife edges taken with Agfa Copex film and processed in Gigabit or SPUR developer.

Thanks for testing the lens in the name of art and science.

Clarence

 

[Bas]

In the first set of pictures I can see that the J8 at f/4 has a much higher contrast than the other two lenses.

I noted a similar thing with my Jupiter 8 opened up. At f/4, the contrasts simply are shot from a cannon and suddenly I have a picture with 256 tonalities from which 120 are white and 120 are black... does somebody know why this happens?

I was comparing the Summitar and the J8. At f/8 and smaller apertures, they are VERY similar lenses. But when opened up, the contrasts on the J8 are remarkedly increased to the point I lose a lot of detail both on shadows and highlights. The same picture on the Summitar and the distribution of grays and difference between zones is fine.

Does somebody know why this may happen?

Cheers
Bas.

 

[Spyderman]

There's another similar test here: http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=8646

I am very impressed by the I-61 and its sharpness and pleasant bokeh. I think it's a very underrated lens. Everyone here wants a J-8, and the I-61 does its job unnoticed but better 🙂

 

[ZorkiFan]

Looking at the background highlights the I-22 looks nice to me. The rendering of the subject goes to the J-8 and then the I-61 from my taste.

As for cats, every picture needs a cat in it 🙂 (They tend to look out of place in some situations, but still, would usually be an improvement. ) 🙂

Nice to see the different qualities. I want one of each 🙂 Thanks Buyuphoto!

 

[ZorkiFan]

When I have a J-8 and a J-3 in my hands I will be happy. Till I think about how nice a 35mm would be, and then there is the 85mm, and 135mm.

Also have to have the two pancake lenses, and second copies in black and panda. Hmm this seems to be a pattern developing.

I know... one of each and Leica models to match them?

I think I need an extra job. (or a good shrink for some antidepressants) 🙂